Decorative Fastener

ABSTRACT

The decorative fastener includes a base fitted with eyes or receptacles on the underside of the base and one or two straps that protrude from the lower portion of the base underside and which are fitted with hooks on their exposed ends. The straps wrap back over themselves, around any particular item of wear, and fasten using the hooks on the straps and the eyes on the underside of the base. The decorative fastener may also include a plurality of interchangeable decorative disc options, or removable strap options, thus allowing the wearer to change decorations easily and inexpensively.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claim priority from U.S. provisionalapplication Ser. No. 61/686,697 filed Apr. 11, 2012.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGDISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The invention relates, in general, to the field of fashion accessories.It is a versatile decorative fastener suitable for attachment to manydifferent articles of clothing, mainly, but not limited to, shoes.

The invention is not a permanent accessory and may be removed from onearticle of wear and attached to another item. The invention includes anoptional feature that may enable the decoration itself be changed andreplaced with another.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

The use of decorative accessories with interchangeable features forfootwear and other items of wear, is known in the prior art.

By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,769,204 to Phillips discloses asandal system. U.S. Pat. No. 5,355,698 to Edmark discloses aninterchangeable decorative ornament.

Although these accessory devices are satisfactory for their particularpurposes, they do not enable a user to have the versatility to use themon a plurality of applications such as an abundance of shoe styles,scarves, purses, clothing, hair ponytails and hatbands, already owned bythe wearer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Individuals prefer to have a selection of ornamental fashion adornmentswhen preparing to dress for social gatherings; however, they may beprohibited from purchasing numerous fashion items due to financialconstraints. Therefore, a need exists to supply the public withinexpensive choices. Accessories that are removable, as well as,interchangeable, (i.e. a decorative element that is able to be changedwith another decorative element within the fashion article itself) ishighly desired. In addition, providing accessories that may be used onmore than one type of clothing, accessory or footwear is even moredesirable.

Currently, there are products which allow a wearer to purchase aspecialized decoration that requires an expensive, specialized shoe, orother specific article, in order to attach the decoration beforewearing; however, they limit the wearer to using the decoration only onthat specific article because the decorations are not adaptable forattachment to any other article of clothing or accessory.

To eliminate the need to purchase expensive specialized items of wear,the decorative fastener has the ability to be worn on items of which anindividual already owns. In addition, the decorative fastener has theoption to be manufactured with the ability to replace one topicaldecoration with another.

The two-strap attachment device of the decorative fastener is intendedto make using the decorative fastener on flip flops and strappy sandalseasy. However, the decorative fastener may also be manufactured usingonly one strap. Offering a single strap option makes using thedecorative fastener on items other than flip flops and strappy sandalseasier for the consumer, although the basic purpose of the decorativefastener remains the same.

The decorative fastener consists of a base manufactured of a hardmaterial, whether composite, metal, plastic or some other material, or asoft, yet firm material. The underside of the base has one or two strapsextending from it. These straps are fitted with attachment devices atthe exposed ends. The straps wrap back over themselves and theattachment device at the end of the straps join with their attachmentcounterpart; also located on the underside of the base. The straps wraparound any number of articles of wear to provide an element of fashionembellishment.

The top portion of the base may, or may not be manufactured with thecapability to change-out a decorative piece. In other words; the basemay be manufactured with a permanent embellishment or decoration,however; an embodiment of the decorative fastener includes the option tomanufacture the top portion of the base with a coupling device thatallows for a decorative piece to be removed and replaced with anotherdecorative piece.

The embodiment of the decorative fastener includes the option tomanufacture the base, or disc with the capability to completely removethe straps from the underside of the disc altogether, allowing them tobe attached to the underside of another base, or disc that has adifferent decorative element on the topside.

The decorative fastener is a lightweight addition to a wearer'swardrobe. While worn, the owner will not be aware of extra weight ordiscomfort. It will be manufactured for durability so the wearer mayexpect to use it for years.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For full clarification of the decorative fastener, reference is made tothe following description of the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a permanent strap version of thedecorative fastener which is located and affixed to the underside of adecorated or plain base, showing how the device appears when theattachment pieces are connected.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of a permanent strap version of adecorated or plain base, showing the attachment device on the undersideas it lies while the attachment pieces are not connected. FIG. 2 alsoshows an option for a three dimensional decoration on the top portion ofthe base.

FIG. 3 is a top planar view of the decorative fastener showing how it isto be wrapped around the straps of a sandal.

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the topside of the decorativefastener's base showing how it looks on a sandal after the attachmentdevice is completely fastened.

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the decorative fastener's base andattachment device with an added optional feature of an interchangeabledecorative disc that may be removed from the top portion of the base andreplaced with another.

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of a removable strap version of theattachment device which is located on the underside of a decorative orplain base showing how the device appears when two, equally sized strapsare placed in parallel formation and the straps are connected to thebase.

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the removable strap version of theattachment with the two equally sized straps removed and a singular,removable strap put in place and connected.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a view of an embodiment of a decorative fastener 10. Thedecorative fastener 10 comprises a base 12, two parallel placed straps14, a hook 16 at the exposed end of each strap 14, two raised eyes 18set side by side at the top portion of the underside of the base.

An embodiment of the base 12 may be manufactured of a hard material,whether composite, metal, plastic or some other material, or a flexible,yet firm material that may comprise any decorative shape and may have adecorative design permanently applied, or embedded upon the top portion.Two straps, placed in a parallel formation 14 protrude from slottedopenings 20 which are then clamped to secure the straps 14 to theunderside of the base 12. Each of the straps 14 has a hook 16 affixed totheir exposed ends. The straps 14 fold back upon themselves in orderthat the hooks 16 may be connected to the raised eyes 18 which protrudefrom the underside of the base 12 thus creating the shape of a loop. Itshould be understood that the straps 14 may be made of any material;and, by way of example and not limitation, may include; whethersingularly or in combination, rubber, silicone and polyester, or anyother material known to those skilled in the art. Further, it should beunderstood that the raised eyes 18 may or may not be a formation of theactual base 12. By way of example; the raised eyes 18 may be separatepieces that are affixed to the base 12.

Finally, other means for fastening the exposed ends of the straps 14 tothe base 12 that are well known to a person of ordinary skill in the artmay be used in place of the hooks 16 and eyes 18. For example, hook andloop tape, two sets of male and female snap fasteners, hooks and rubberloop combinations, or any other mechanism known to those skilled in theart.

Any means for fastening the unexposed ends of the straps 14 to the base12 that are well known to a person of ordinary skill in the art may beused in place of slotted, then clamped openings 20 in the base 12. Forexample, the straps 14 may be held fast using a strong adhesive orcovering that would ensure a tight hold.

In addition to producing the decorative fastener 10 with two parallelstraps 14, it may also be produced using only a single strap 14.Producing an optional decorative fastener 10 with a single strap 14 willmake it easier for the user to attach the device to certain articles ofwear.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the attachment device showing thebase 12, the two parallel straps 14, the hooks 16 attached at theexposed end of the straps 14, the raised eyes or receptacles 18 and anexample of a decorative feature 22, which may or may not be applied tothe top portion of the base 12.

FIG. 3 is a top planar view of the underside of the decorative fastener10 showing the two, parallel straps 14 as they wrap around sandal straps24. The hooks 16 will attach to the raised eyes 18 as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is top perspective view showing the decorated side of the base 12as it sits completely affixed to the sandal straps 24.

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the decorative fastener 10 with anoptional, interchangeable decorative disc feature 26. Theinterchangeable disc 26 could be fitted with a strong magnet 28 on theunderside. The base 12 could be made of metal or fitted with a strong,metal piece 30 which would attract to the magnet 28 on theinterchangeable disc 26. Other means for fastening the interchangeabledisc 26 to the base 12 that are well known to a person of ordinary skillin the art may be used in place of the magnet 28 and metal piece 30. Forexample, the interchangeable disc 26 and the base 12 may comprise hookand loop tape, a male and female snap fastener, a male and female screwassembly, a hook and eye configuration, a post and clasp assembly, orany other mechanism known to those skilled in the art.

FIG. 6 shows the embodiment of a decorative fastener 10 wherein thestraps 14 a of the device have the capability of being completelyremoved from a base 12.

The base 12 may comprise any decorative shape and may have a decorativedesign permanently applied, or embedded upon the top portion. Said base12 comprises one set of two eyes 18, or some other fastener set side byside at the upper portion of the underside of the base 12 and one set oftwo eyes 18, or some other fastener, set side by side at the lowerportion of the underside of the base 12. Said base 12 may also compriseone eye 18, or some other fastener on the left portion of the undersideof the base 12 and one eye 18 or some other fastener on the rightportion of the underside of the base 12.

Two, separate straps of equal length 14 a are fitted with hooks 16 orsome other fastener on each exposed end. One hook 16 at one end of eachstrap 14 a would connect with one of the eyes 18 at the upper portion ofthe underside of the base 12 and one hook 16 at the opposite end of eachstrap 14 a would connect with one of the eyes 18 at the lower portion ofthe underside of the base 12 creating loops that would wrap around thestraps of sandals or some other item of wear.

FIG. 7 shows the embodiment of the attachment device 10 using only one,completely removable strap 32. Said strap 32 is fitted with hooks 16, orsome other fastener on each exposed end. One hook 16 at one end of thestrap 32 would connect with the eye 18 on the left portion of theunderside of the base 12 and the hook 16 on the other end of the strap32 would connect with the eye 18 on the right portion of the undersideof the base creating one loop that would wrap around an item that mayrequire only one strap 32 such as a scarf or hair ponytail.

Further, it should be understood that the decorative fastener as shownin FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 may have the same interchangeable decorative discoptions as shown in FIG. 5.

Although all versions of the decorative fastener have been described indetail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions andalterations may be made hereto without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A decorative fastener comprising in combination: a) a basehaving a topside and an underside; b) at least one strap comprising twoends, one strap end permanently attached to the base underside; c) afirst fastener assembly on the at least one strap end not permanentlyattached to the base underside; and d) a second fastener assemblyaffixed to the base underside and corresponding to the at least onestrap end fastener assembly thus creating a loop; whereby at least onestrap wraps around an item, holding the item to the underside of thebase using the strap and base underside fastener assemblies and wherebythe item is decorated and held or fastened to the base underside of thedecorative fastener.
 2. The decorative fastener of claim 1, furthercomprising two straps wherein at least two straps are positioned intransverse relation one to the other on the base underside.
 3. Thedecorative fastener of claim 1, further comprising a decorative itemsized to be affixed to the base topside.
 4. A decorative fastenercomprising in combination: a) a base having a topside comprising afastener and an underside; b) at least one strap comprising two ends,one strap end permanently attached to the base underside; c) a firstfastener assembly on the strap end not permanently attached to the baseunderside; and d) a second fastener assembly affixed to the baseunderside and corresponding to the at least one strap end fastenerassembly thus creating a loop; e) a separate disc comprising a fasteneron a disc underside that corresponds with the fastener on the basetopside; whereby at least one strap wraps around an item, holding theitem to the underside of the base using the at least one strap and basefastener assemblies, whereby a separate disc may be attached to thetopside of the base using the fastener assemblies on the disc undersideand the base topside, and whereby the item is decorated and held orfastened to the base under side of the decorative fastener.
 5. Thedecorative fastener of claim 1, further comprising a separate decorativedisc.
 6. The decorative fastener of claim 4, further comprising aseparate decorative disc.
 7. A decorative fastener comprising incombination: a) a base having a topside and an underside; b) a pluralityof straps, each strap comprising two ends where one end of each strapmay or may not be permanently attached to the underside of the base; c)a first fastener assembly on each exposed strap end; and d) a secondfastener assembly affixed to the base underside and corresponding toeach strap end fastener assembly thus creating a loop; whereby asingular strap wraps around an item, holding the item to the undersideof the base using the strap and base fastener assemblies and whereby twoseparate straps may be positioned in transverse relation, one to theother, on the base underside and whereby an item is decorated while heldor fastened to the base underside of the decorative fastener.
 8. Thedecorative fastener of claim 7, wherein the base topside furthercomprises a fastener and further comprising a separate disc comprising afastener on a disc underside that corresponds with the base topsidefastener.
 9. The decorative fastener of claim 8, further comprising aseparate decorative disc.